HC Deb 02 November 1882 vol 274 cc669-70
Mr. BIGGAR (for Mr. O'KELLY)

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether there is any precedent for the surrender of a British prisoner of war to a Foreign Power; whether the surrender of Arabi Pacha to the Government of the Khedive was not a violation of the understanding on which he surrendered; and, whether it is true that Arabi Pacha, in constituting himself a prisoner, stated that he surrendered to the English Nation?

MR. GLADSTONE

Sir, I do not think that I can give any further answer to this Question than I have already given to the noble Lord opposite (Lord Randolph Churchill). But for practical purposes I may say it would be a mistake to consider as simple prisoners of war those who are about to be tried upon charges quite independent of the fact of their having taken part in the war.